September 28, 2026
*Originally issued in Khmer by the Cambodian Government. The following is an unofficial English translation
PHNOM PENH – (Sept 26, 2026) In a historic move for wildlife conservation, Cambodia has officially established its first-ever Crocodile Genetic Conservation Area—a designated site aimed at conserving the natural genetic diversity of one of the world’s rarest reptiles, the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile. This area offers legal protection for a key nesting habitat, ensuring the species can continue to breed and thrive in the wild, and supporting long-term, in-situ conservation of its unique gene pool.
Officially announced by the Ministry of Environment, the Boeung Veal Venglegally protects a 315-hectare nesting area, which is home to the largest remaining population of Siamese crocodiles, with approximately 40+ individuals located in Veal Veng Marsh, O’Som Commune in the heart of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains.
The new Genetic Protected Area is the result of a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Environment; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF); Conservation International and Fauna & Flora, working in close partnership with local communities to secure long-term protection for the Siamese crocodile.
Recognizing the growing urgency to protect this critical habitat, Conservation International partnered with the Cambodian Government in late 2023 to initiate a formal protection process of the crocodile’s sanctuary. As part of this effort, the team led public consultations and conducted field visits with local and provincial stakeholders—including village leaders, commune officials, district governors, and national agencies. Together with government partners, using Fauna & Flora’s species monitoring data, they explored potential boundaries for the proposed Genetic Protected Area, discussed policy options, and supported the development of the Prakas (formal decree) announced on July 22.
“This outcome builds on more than two decades of partnership to protect the Central Cardamom Mountains—one of Southeast Asia’s last great rainforests,” said Sony Oum, Country Director of Conservation International Cambodia. “From the beginning, we’ve worked alongside the Royal Government of Cambodia and local communities to safeguard this landscape, and today’s designation strengthens that legacy. By protecting the last stronghold of globally endangered Siamese Crocodiles in the wild, we’re not only saving a species from extinction—we’re supporting Indigenous communities, strengthening law enforcement, and preserving the genetic diversity of this globally important species and its wetland ecosystems for future generations”.
The Siamese crocodile was rediscovered to science in O'Som in 2000 by Fauna & Flora in partnership with government stakeholders. Conservationists have since worked alongside MAFF’s General Directorate of Forestry and Wildlife (previously the Forestry Administration), the Ministry of Environment, and local communities to bring the species back from the brink of extinction, with efforts focusing on habitat protection and a conservation breeding programme that has been successfully reintroducing Siamese crocodiles into the wild since 2012. In June 2025, a natural nest of 17 eggs was found in O’Som, indicating this area is a thriving breeding ground for this flagship species and in urgent need of legal protection.
Horm Chandet, Country Director, Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme, commented: “The recovery of the Siamese crocodile is an extraordinary conservation success story – but while the wild population is increasing, we’re not out of the woods yet: new threats are emerging, with habitats under growing pressure, and so our work is ever evolving. The new Genetic Conservation Area is an important step in the right direction. This habitat – where we first rediscovered Siamese crocodiles at the turn of the century - will be better safeguarded for the crocodiles and other wildlife, positioning the O’Som wetlands firmly on the map as the world’s truest haven for Siamese crocodiles.”
“The establishment of this Genetic Conservation Area is a milestone in our long-term mission to rescue this endangered crocodile specie from the brink of extinction,” said H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. “Through MAFF’s dedicated conservation breeding and reintroduction program, we have successfully returned these crocodiles back into their natural river systems to rebuild wild populations. Giving this wild populations full legal protection over their core nesting habitat is a testament to what we can achieve when ministries, partners, and communities come together. Safeguarding this rare species is not just a national duty—it is an investment in the resilience of Cambodia’s rich wetland ecosystems for generations to come.”
H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment said, “Boeung Veal Veng is Cambodia’s first-ever Genetic Conservation Area established specifically for an animal species—and fittingly, it is for the Siamese Crocodile, a species for which our country holds the world’s largest remaining population. The O’Som area is one of the most important habitats for rare species, and its designation as a protected habitat and genetic conservation area for the crocodile reflects the strong commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia and our partners to securing the species’ survival for future generations. This commitment is being advanced through the implementation of the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028, particularly Pillar 2, ‘Green,’ and the Natural Resources Protection Strategy, Priority Action 2.1, which focuses on strengthening the effective management, full legal protection and restoration of natural resources, as well as active enforcement on the ground.”
The Genetic Conservation Area — a specialized legal designation with stricter enforcement than traditional protected areas — offers new hope for the recovery of this ancient and iconic species. The area is under the jurisdiction and management of the Pursat Provincial Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment. Its protection is supported through collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; relevant institutions; local authorities and communities; Conservation International (CI); and Fauna & Flora.
PHOTOS AND B-ROLL FOR MEDIA USE: HERE
H.E. Khvay Atitya
Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson, Ministry of Environment
Tel: +855 12 683 968
H.E. Khim Finan
Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: +855 17 408 888
Ms. Emmeline Johansen
Senior Director Media, Asia Pacific, Conservation International
Email: ejohansen@conservation.org
Tel: +64 27 779 3401
Ms. Joanna Colley
Media Relations Manager, Fauna & Flora
Email: Joanna.Colley@fauna-flora.org; Press@fauna-flora.org
Tel: +44 (0) 7818040144
About Conservation International:
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About Fauna & Flora
Fauna & Flora is a nature conservation charity protecting the diversity of life on Earth. For the survival of species and habitats, the planet and people. As the world’s first international conservation charity, Fauna & Flora has been shaping best practice in community-focused conservation for over 120 years. Today, the charity works closely with local conservation partners in almost 50 countries to protect habitats, revive the ocean, reduce extinctions, stop illegal wildlife trade, combat climate change and influence global policy and corporate sustainability. www.fauna-flora.org
For more information on Fauna & Flora’s efforts to bring the Siamese crocodile back from extinction, please visit: https://www.fauna-flora.org/projects/conserving-siamese-crocodiles-cambodia/